After the old siren was found to be no longer functioning in November 2024, the decades-old tradition of sounding the alarm on Remembrance Day and Liberation Day were halted, with recordings played in their stead.
‘We know it’s a really enjoyed part of Liberation Day,’ said Helen Glencross, head of Culture & Heritage Services at the States.
‘I think it’s absolutely a project that’s been worth undertaking – we do a two minute silence in between the sirens, and it gives people that chance to think, to remember that time past when the Channel Islands were really under threat.’
The installation of the new siren was three months in the planning process, requiring co-ordination from several different States departments to be accomplished.
‘It’s been absolutely fantastic to see so many people work together to achieve this – Guernsey Museums, States Property Service, Sport & Culture,’ said Mrs Glencross.
The siren – a heavy-duty metal machine of considerable proportions – had to be lifted onto the tower by crane.
Now, though, it is expected to last for the foreseeable future.
‘The other one was probably up here since the 70s,’ said Jason Dodd, who worked on installing the siren.
‘They last a pretty long time, and the last one was made with older materials as well.’
The first air raid sirens on the island were installed in 1937, and fulfilled their intended purpose in 1940, when German forces bombed tomato trucks at St Peter Port harbour.
The sirens were only decommissioned as of 2010, with the Victoria Tower siren remaining solely for commemorative purposes.
‘It’s really become a tradition now,’ said Mrs Glencross.
‘There’s usually a good crowd when we sound it. It’s quite haunting – it really gives people that moment to reflect.’
Mrs Glencross declined to detail the cost of the project.
You need to be logged in to comment.